Review of the previous match against Urawa Reds
Gave it all. The moment the final whistle signaling victory echoed, Teppei OKA lay on the pitch of Saitama Stadium 2002, repeatedly making strong little fist pumps with both hands.
"I feel like I've given it my all. I approach each match as an opportunity and challenge myself to unleash all the power I can."
In the previous match, we faced Urawa Reds away after securing our first league victory in about two months at Japan National Stadium. We were fortunate to take a two-goal lead with an own goal and a penalty kick from Ryotaro ARAKI within the first 15 minutes, showcasing a game plan that was described as "almost perfect in the first half" by Masato MORISHIGE, with high pressing and composed ball movement.
Tokyo maintained control of the match with solid defense and skillful possession even after entering the second half. Amidst an ideal game, it was the passionate sliding block shown by number 30 in the 16th minute of the second half that excited the packed away section behind the goal.
A major crisis faced in the penalty area of our own side. In response to a powerful shot from player Yu OKUBO, who ran in free from behind after a soft last pass, I dashed furiously from the center towards the left side, stretching out my right foot to make a desperate block just in time. I immediately got back up, let out a roar, and made a strong fist pump to assert my presence throughout the stadium.
"It's all about feelings now. I was really motivated. With a single-minded determination to help the team."
This is the second match as a left side back. In defense, he has shown his height against cross balls, and in attack, he has functioned as a target for goal kicks. The 186 cm tall defender states, "If I can't provide height, there's no point in my presence." Throughout the match, he demonstrated an awareness of taking high positions while coordinating with the defensive midfielder, supporting the team as a starting point to connect the ball to the front line and add depth to the attack while avoiding the opponent's press. He is currently in a phase of pioneering a new territory in a position he hasn't played since his time with FC Tokyo U-23 in 2019.
The team maintained the lead and won with a clean sheet. With a perfect shutout performance showcasing Tokyo's style in both offense and defense, they silenced the red-dyed Saitama Stadium 2002 and achieved a remarkable consecutive victory in the league.
Match Preview
In the last match, we achieved a convincing 2-0 victory against Urawa Reds away. We showcased our strengths in both offense and defense, securing another win following the match against Nagoya Grampus at National.
The team succeeded in taking control with a timely possession in addition to their traditional sharp attacks in the matches against Nagoya and Urawa. As the season comes to a close, they are beginning to show their skill in game control.
The driving force behind this is the presence of Keigo HIGASHI, who is establishing his position as a defensive midfielder. Not only does he maintain the team's balance with precise positioning, but he also actively plays the role of a playmaker by moving forward. He truly demonstrates the presence of a "number 10" while also showcasing the fighting spirit of a "warrior" in battle.
In the previous match, Ryotaro ARAKI scored a goal in the league for the first time in about four months since May 15. After scoring, he showed a powerful jumping fist pump, expressing his emotions for the long-awaited strike. The packed stands behind the goal shared the joy of number 71 with chants of "Araki! Tokyo!" after the match.
This match is an away game against Yokohama F.Marinos, aiming for the second three consecutive wins of the season. Since winning the match in July 2020, we want to shake off the poor record of two draws and six losses, including the club's worst eight goals conceded in the 2021 season. For coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI, Teruhito NAKAGAWA, and Keita ENDO, this is also a match against their former club.
Yokohama FM is currently in 9th place in the league. In addition to advancing in the YBC Levain Cup and the Emperor's Cup, they are also participating in the AFC Champions League Elite, making for a truly packed schedule. Last week, they faced a tough situation, losing a total of 13 goals in two matches against Gwangju FC in the ACLE and Sanfrecce Hiroshima in the previous league match. However, they broke the streak of four consecutive official match losses by defeating Renofa Yamaguchi FC 5-1 in the Emperor's Cup quarterfinals held this Wednesday. The continued heavy losses have led to a strong sense of tightening both offense and defense, and there is a high possibility that the team will come into this week's match against Tokyo with a switched-on mentality.
First and foremost, Tokyo should be on high alert for the powerful attacking lineup centered around the Brazilian trio. Although the opponent will be without Nishimura due to suspension and this game comes just two days after the match against Yamaguchi, complacency is not an option. The players must have felt that taking the initiative leads to smoother gameplay, as seen in the two matches against Nagoya and Urawa. To start, we want to find our chances through a solid defense that has been tight in front of our own goal during our winning streak, mixed with both quick and slow attacks.
To return to Ajinomoto Stadium after achieving the second consecutive league victory this season. The blue and red players head to the pitch at Nissan Stadium with an aggressive style in mind.
[Interview with Coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI]
Q, it will be a memorable match for Coach Klamovski at this venue.
A, the place where my son was born, and Yokohama, where I touched the J-League trophy, is a special place for me. However, it is most important to focus solely on the match and our way of fighting. I will not neglect hard work and will bring back 3 points to Tokyo.
Q: Please tell us your impression of Yokohama F.Marinos.
A, it is necessary to prepare with the assumption that the opponent will come at their best. Yokohama FM is a very good team with excellent players. To earn 3 points from such an opponent, it is important for us to demonstrate our maximum strength.
Q: Please tell us the reasons for winning the last two matches.
A, scoring the first goal is important for gaining an advantage in the match. However, what is even more important is to carry the momentum from scoring the first goal into the subsequent play. We establish discipline as a team in all aspects. If we can express what we need to do as a team with high performance, it will yield results. I want to make good preparations to express this from the first minute.
Q: This will be a match where we aim for our second three consecutive wins of the season.
A, therefore hard work is necessary. It's easy if it's just talk. I want us to be aggressive and have a strong belief in our football, striving to excel over our opponents in every situation.
[Player Interview]
＜Teppei OKA＞
Q: Yokohama F.Marinos has a strong lineup of attackers. How do you want to contain them?
A, Matheus YAN, who is left-footed and makes cut-ins, is a very skilled player. I want to seal off the opponent's dribbling path, effectively pressure them, and bring the play into my own defensive area. I want to focus on winning the ball back and preventing easy crosses or shots, and this week I have been concentrating on one-on-one defense and responding along the sidelines. I want to effectively utilize what I confirmed in practice.
Q: Please tell us about your impressions regarding the coordination in offense and defense with the attacking players on the same side, such as Kota TAWARATSUMIDA and Keita ENDO.
I am aware of the support needed for the players in front of me to unleash their power in attack, as well as my own hard work in defense. I believe it would be good to provide cover and support through communication and positioning, so that the forwards do not exhaust themselves too much in defense. I have a strong desire for the players on the same side to utilize their dribbling and vertical momentum to excel in the attack.
Q. On the other hand, it seemed that Teppei OKA was carefully confirming his involvement in the attack during practice.
I believe it is important to distract the opponent's marking and awareness when the left winger has the ball. I also demand myself to position inward and make movements that attract defenders. When I have the ball, Takahiro KO and Ryotaro ARAKI support me closely, so I want to effectively engage in the build-up play in coordination with both players.
<Keigo HIGASHI>
Q: Despite changes in the members, you have achieved two consecutive wins. How do you feel about that?
Each player has their strengths, and it's not about who played but rather how to bring out the individuality and strengths of each player that makes soccer enjoyable. Soccer has different situations in each match, requiring flexibility in how to approach the game. In the match against Nagoya Grampus, we gained momentum by scoring the first and additional goals at a good pace, leading to victory, but in the match against Urawa Reds, we lost control to the opponent from the middle of the game. It's essential to adjust and control well on the pitch. These two matches made me feel the excitement of soccer once again.
Q: It seems that the connection between the forwards and midfielders in play and movement is adding depth to the attack.
A. When I am not participating in a match, I watch the game thinking, "I should do this to improve," and when I am on the pitch, I express my thoughts on how I want to change things through my play. Of course, my own positioning requires judgment based on the situation. There are certainly moments when it makes sense to maintain a position in midfield rather than forcing myself forward. I believe that adaptability is essential, and while I played higher up the pitch in the last two matches, I will make the decision not to advance if it is more effective, and I want to carefully observe the opponent's movements and tactics to make informed judgments.
Q: Particularly regarding defense, there were noticeable plays that showed attention this week's practice.
A, that's what makes it fun, isn't it? I believe that playing while observing my surroundings is my own characteristic. Soccer is a sport that involves the opponent, and I must outsmart them with defense that makes me think, 'I wouldn't like it if they did that.' Offense and defense are two sides of the same coin. For example, if there is a player who is the starting point for the opponent, I must approach them rigorously. This is not about tactics; it's more about intuition and the ability to sense the situation, and that is what soccer is all about.
